IMPORTANT HINDU FESTIVALS AND VRAT IN FEBRUAY 2013

Dates of important festivals associated with Hinduism in February 2013 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchangam used in India. The festivals, Vrats and auspicious days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). You can also take help through the comment section on good dates for various purposes including house warming, joining job, buying car or house, moving into new rented home etc.

February 6, 2013 – Ekadasi Fasting – Shattila Ekadasi Fasting

February 7 – Pradosh

February 8 – Shiv Chaturdasi Vrat

February 10 – Amavasya Vrat. Mauni Amavasi

February 11 – Magh month begins in calendars followed in Gujarat,Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

February 13 – Gauri Teej Vrat

February 13 – Ganesh Jayanti

February 15 – Vasant Panchami / Saraswati Puja

February 16 – Sashti Fasting

February 17 – Ratha Saptami

February 17 – Madhavacharya Jayanti

February 18 – Bhishma Ashtami

February 19 – Mahananda Navami

February 21 – Ekadasi Fasting – Jaya Ekadasi

February 22 – Bhishma Dwadasi

February 23 – Pradosh Vrat

February 25 – Purnima

February 25 – Ravidas Jayanti

February 26 – Phalgun Month begins in calendars followed in North India.

Kumbh Mela- The Greatest Festival on the Banks of Maa Ganga

Millions of people will be performing holy bath at Prayag – Sangam (Allahabad in India) on the banks Maa Ganga starting from January 14, 2013. These millions arrive on the banks of Ganga without any persuasion, advertisement or force. They arrive on their own. The only force that draws them to the Sangam is Moksha or Liberation – to merge with the Supreme Truth and escape from endless birth and death.

Sangam is the confluence of River Ganga, Saraswati and Yamuna. Sanagm or Prayag is the holiest place in Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). All Hindu scriptures talk about the greatness of Sangam.

Why Hinduism does not fit into the definition of religion set by western scholars is answered best during Kumbh Mela? Thousands of traditions, groups, rituals, prayers, practices, sects; different language, clothes, food, - it’s a festival of unity in diversity. Thousands of traditions arrive to become ONE at Sangam. The core teaching that brings them to banks of Ganga is that – there is only That (the Supreme Truth) – that is present in all animate and inanimate. The difference is only in the method or path to reach That Supreme Truth.

Kumbh Mela extols that Santana Dharma (Hinduism) is the collective name given to the attempts made by individuals to reach truth. Hindu Religion acknowledges each and every individuals effort to understand the supreme truth. It believes that all path leads to the Supreme Truth. That is the reason why Hinduism is the most tolerant religion in the world. That is why India is home to all the religions in the world.

The naked Sadhu, the smoking sadhu, the sadhu who never talks, the gurus, the philosopher, the scholar, the priest, the tantrics, the babas, the yoginis, the atheist, the beggars, the monks, the common man who offers prayer at home and in temples all arrive at the Kumbh Mela. They are all welcomed. They are all offered food and water. They are listened to. They are appreciated. The points they raise are debated. They depart without any ill will.  They promise to meet again. They promise to continue their search.

At Sangam, three great rivers arrive from three different directions. The three rivers have their own uniqueness. But at Sangam they become ONE. Their identities merge. The people arrive in millions to celebrate this merging.

HARI OM TAT SAT

Astrological Forecast January 2013

LIVING YOUR LIFE SENSIBLY WITH JYOTISH HELP

Rahu – Ketu Axis Continues Transition to New Signs

The Rahu-Ketu axis is the nodal axis. They are abstract points along the path that the planets travel through the zodiac that denote where eclipses will occur when the Sun and Moon align with these pointsLast month, I talked about this shift and will continue the discussion here. I'm looking at this transition period as lasting from mid-December to mid-January based on the difference between the mean and true node. 

Depending on where this axis falls in our birth chart, we are all exercising through the lessons of Rahu and Ketu in different ways and domains of life. The commonality lies in what is expressed above. The shift to new signs will be an interesting inversion. Ketu will move to Aries and Rahu will move to Libra. The inverted sense of things involves Venus and Mars and their rulership of the signs that Rahu and Ketu occupy both before and after the shift. Our new paradigm, for the next 1.5 years will see Ketu operating in Mars' fire sign, Aries, and Rahu operating in Venus' air sign, Libra.

Mars Exalted in Capricorn Jan 1-24

Mars actually moved into Capricorn on December 18, and continues through his sign of exaltation through January 24. Planets can function to their highest capacity when they are in an exalted state. Mars as our planet of power, drive and forward motion can skillfully get things done when located in Saturn's earth sign, Capricorn. One of our common symbols of Capricorn is the mountain goat atop a peak, showing the determination, courage, skill and fortitude that it takes to reach a goal. Mars has excellent structure in Capricorn to channel the fire and energy that he embodies. Here, we can get things done. We can give form to our energy and reach goals.

The exact degree of exaltation for Mars comes at 28º Capricorn. Mars reaches that peak on January 22-23. We should be feeling the sense of reaching our goals after weeks of dedicated work at that time. The simple message of this transit of Mars in Capricorn is: get to work! This position of Mars should be powerfully driven in a disciplined way. A good use of the energy may be to formulate a goal and really point your nose in that direction. Write it down. Make a plan and stick to it. Take advantage of the planetary backing and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when you make it to the top of that hill.

Venus Transits Sagittarius January 4 – 27

Venus moves from Scorpio to Sagittarius on January 4, following her friend Mercury who moved into Sagittarius on December 27. The exodus of planets from Scorpio may provide a warmer, brighter outlook in general. The deep, dark arena of Mars' icy water sign can be "intense" in many ways, so with both Mercury and Venus moving into the warmer, fiery sign of Sagittarius there could be a sense of surfacing into the sunlight, of moving forward, of looking ahead and long-range planning.

Venus represents the human capacity for love, connection and compassion. Through Venus we experience the oneness and togetherness that leads us toward feelings of happiness and appreciation of beauty. With Venus transiting through Sagittarius, we put that capacity for love and relationship to work in an environment of positive, adventurous expansion. With Mercury and the Sun also in occupation of Sagittarius, we have a few weeks to put our hearts forward and expand into love and relationship through compassionate communication.

New Moon in Sagittarius January 11

2013 begins as the Moon is waning after the full Moon of December 28. Traveling alone as she becomes concave, the Moon eventually encounters Saturn on January 6 and Rahu on January 7. Because the Moon's energy becomes weaker as it wanes toward the monthly conjunction with the Sun (new Moon), these encounters with Saturn and Rahu could create a bit of depression and turbulence at the end of the first week of January.

Between January 7 and January 11, the Moon continues to wane, but moves into calmer territory in the company of Venus and Mercury in Sagittarius. The moment of the new Moon comes at around noon on Friday, January 11. The day preceding that moment is amavasya, running from the late afternoon of January 10 to mid-day on January 11. This is a good time to limit activity and to set intentions for the upcoming lunar cycle.

Sun Enters Capricorn January 14

Sagittarius is generally a positive, outgoing sign where action is free and easy. However Saturn's position in Libra during the next couple of years will throw the brakes on the activities born of the Sagittarius spirit due to his aspect from Libra. While this could feel somewhat irritating based on our desire to expand, learn and live large, we can welcome the caution that Saturn brings to our adventures. Deliberation and slow movement often make things turn out to be more safe and secure in the long run.

The Sun moves from Saturn's aspect and into Capricorn on Monday, January 14 to spend his annual month in Saturn's earth sign. This year, the Sun, friend to Mars, gets a boost by sharing this transit with exalted Mars. This amplifies and focuses that energy of exaltation so that we can concentrate our efforts on our goals. If your eyes are on the prize and your heart is in the game, you should find progress to be steady this month.

Saturn-Rahu Share Libra January 14, 2012 – July 12, 2014

With the true nodes finally settling into place on January 14, the nodal axis transition will have completed and we can look ahead to the next 1.5 years as Rahu-Ketu transit the signs of Libra and Aries, respectively.

One of the main features of this transit is that Rahu and Saturn will be sharing occupation of Libra for the next 1.5 years. This is a significant conjunction of two slower-moving planetary forces that will likely manifest for each of us individually based on where this transits the birth chart and collectively as well.

Because this is a "slow" conjunction, the period of time when these two bodies get close within five degrees may be the most notable. Starting in August 2013, Saturn and Rahu will move to within five degrees. Saturn will be moving forward through Libra and Rahu will maintain its usual retrograde motion. Exact conjunction occurs September 11-22, 2013, and separation begins at the end of October 2013. Rahu moves into Virgo July, 2014 and Saturn moves into Scorpio November, 2014.

The combination of these two strong planets should be quite active. The general theme may be one of revolution. Discontent with present conditions, desire for a more beautiful world, attraction to underlying truth and destruction of illusion: these feelings may come to a head under the conjunction of these two planets, urging us forward to a creation of a new world wherein the humanitarian basis of Saturn is amplified and spread through the pervasive channel of Rahu.

Mercury Transits Capricorn January 15 - February 1

Mercury speeds through Capricorn during the last two weeks of January, bearing his message of positivity gained from his transit through Sagittarius. Mercury gains speed, moving quickly past the Sun and out of combustion with the Sun by January 22

Full Moon in Cancer January 26

The Moon becomes full during the evening of Saturday, January 26 in the sign of Cancer, the Moon's own sign. This is the culmination of the cycle begun on January 11. This occurs in the lunar mansion (nakshatra) called Pushya, considered one of the most auspicious nakshatras.

Pushya is located entirely within the sign of Cancer, so it carries the energy of the Moon itself; its planetary ruler specifically is Saturn, so there is a combination of structure, restraint and nurture that makes this asterism a place of good fortune and purification. The power of Pushya is brahmavarchasa shakti, the power to create spiritual energy.

Saturn, currently exalted in Libra, will aspect the Moon at this time, further solidifying the auspicious influence of Saturn to create lasting spiritual forms and practices. The full Moon also falls on Saturday, the day of the week associated with the planet Saturn. Planning a ceremony (not wedding, though) for this day would be quite a good idea.

Jupiter Resumes Direct Motion January 30

Jupiter began its current retrograde cycle on October 4, 2012, moving back through the portion of the sign Taurus that is covered by the lunar mansion called Rohini. The power of Rohini is growth; with the expansive nature of Jupiter in reverse motion, we have had a period where growth and expansion seem to be difficult to grasp. Jupiter regains direct motion on January 30 at 12° Taurus.

Jupiter is an opposite to Saturn in the sense that Jupiter represents expansion where Saturn gives limitation. Jupiter is positive to Saturn's negative. Jupiter gives us hope and faith where Saturn arms us with caution and practicality. It is Jupiter at work when we seek guidance and wisdom or when we expand our consciousness through higher education and spiritual practices.

Jupiter's direct motion could signal new steps forward. Access to growth and expansion should become available where we were met with sluggishness during the autumn season.

Jupiter and Saturn are both currently placed in signs owned by Venus. Venus rules our human capacity for love, connection and devotion and is expressed through relationship and creative artistic pursuits.

OM TAT SAT

Voluntarism and the Importance of Seva and Social Justice in Hindu Faith

The first day of the new year is nearly upon us. Before I decide what I want to achieve in 2013, I must  begin by assessing how the past year’s initiatives went. I must admit that this year  part of the unique” A Year of Service” programme was great. It was heart warming to see that the members of different faith communities and people of no faith to come together to volunteer and help improve local neighbourhoods. United by faith and driven by faith - whichever faith that may be, day in, day out, people  are giving their time, their energy, their hearts and  souls to make communities better and surveys show people of religious observance are more likely to become volunteers.

The topic of voluntarism in Hindu faith I would like to discuss in this blog.

On the surface, emphasis in the Hindu and Dharmic  traditions appears to be primarily on inner self realization. We are encouraged to engage in community service as a transformation practice,sadhana, without personal recognition or publicity. Our underlying Vedic philosophy,  is Service to Man is Service to God. It is an inside out approach to living. Our definition of seva is: "Service which is given without consideration of anything in return, at the right place and time to one that is qualified, with the feeling that it is one's duty, is regarded as the nature of goodness." -- Bhagavad Gita 17.20

It is no wonder then that in the UK, where community service is institutionalized as a well disciplined field, many wonder, where is Dharmic seva? Do Hindus serve the needy? Where is community service through their faith based institutions? What theology guides the Hindus to serve?

My  research shows seva is done in many ways by the Hindu in UK, but seems to be "hidden" and under-reported. To bridge this gap and increase existing ongoing seva activities, some  UK Hindu charities, with the blessing and support of spiritual leaders have launched a strategic initiative to bring seva to greater prominence.  The  aim is to encourage all Dharmic institutions and people all Hindu sampradayas (congregations) to bring seva to the  forefront through  FestivalSeva which invokes the spiritual values of our manyfestivals that are celebrated throughout the year in every part of the world where Hindus live.

Growing up in a Hindu family, religion was always a part our life in the sense that there were always rituals to learn about, ceremonies that were taking place. For many years, however, the main lesson that I took from my religion was one of dedication and detachment -- intertwining the concepts of dharma and karma -- to work hard, to do your best at everything you do, but to remain unattached to the results of those actions, because those are far beyond our control.

 I have  noticed in  Christianity  through the Poverty Initiative and its Poverty scholars programs bring together community leaders from a coalition of organizations around the country, I have seen how easily its leaders have interpreted Jesus' message of social justice, bringing the words and lessons of the Bible to life, as a way to understand how to relate to poverty, homelessness, hunger and old age and what we can and should do about it.

  I am now trying to  understand  how Hinduism relates to and understands poverty and social issues  It has been difficult to find an explicitly similar "apples to apples" comparison but Hindu theology  for me, provides a powerful source for a united front in this struggle for social justice. In this theology, our duty, our dharma, is to do what is right for all, which, in my line of work means addressing the structural causes of injustice (adharma) that are contrary to the good of all. We live in global society that is systemically denying human dignity at a rampant scale -- for at least 1.4 billion people around the world, including thousands of people in the UK – suffer from unemployment, underemployment, homelessness, hunger, malnutrition, and other dimensions of human vulnerability and insecurity. Because of our one-ness, even those of us who are not hungry suffer the injustice of a system that perpetuates hunger.

 I hope to learn from  UK and world Hindu organisations and umbrella groups and also hope that, from these teachers and organizations, their leadership, members and work -- that may or may not be explicitly theological, but still embodies a living Hindu theology -- I will further my own understanding of Hinduism and how to actualize its potential to realize social justice."

I think, now is also the time to for the young British of Hindu faith  to be more fully engaged to serve by developing institutional capacity.  Program  such as A year of service projected by Department for communities  and Local Government, can increase building of sustainable infrastructures. 

In the end some statistical information, currently  are approximately 415 registered Hindu charities with combine income of around £42 million, which in my opinion, if we can streamline and bring uniformity in Hindu faith could go many times more because inherently Hindu believe in seva and daan.

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IMPORTANT HINDU FESTIVALS AND VRAT IN JANUARY 2013

Dates of important festivals associated with Hinduism in JANUARY 2013– based on major Hindu calendars and Panchangam used in India.  You can also take help through the comment section on good dates for various purposes including house warming, joining job, buying car or house, moving into new rented home etc.

January 1, 2013 – Angarak Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat – Chandrodaya or Moonrise is at 9:40 PM

January 5, 2013 – Kalashtami

January 8 – Saphala Ekadasi Fasting

January 9 – Pradosh Vrat

January 10 – Monthly Shivratri Fasting

January 11 – Amavasya – No moon day

January 12 – Paush month begins in calendars followed in Gujarat,Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka

January 12 – Swami Vivekananda Jayanti

January 13 – Dhanu Masam ends

January 14 – Makar Sankranti

January 14 – Pongal

January 19 – Durga Ashtami monthly fasting

January 19 – Banashankari festival / Bandashtami

January 22 – Putrada Ekadasi Fasting

January 24 – Pradosh Vrat

January 26 – Purnima Vrat

January 26 – Purnima – Full moon day

January 28 – Magh month begins in North India calendar

January 30 – Ganesh Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Chandrodaya or Moonrise is at 9:21 PM

Pradosh Vrat and Second Somvar Vrat

 16th July-Second Somvar Vrat and also Pradosh Vrat

Pradosh VratPradosh is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiv on  the 13th day of a lunar fortnight in Hindu traditional calendar. Pradosh occurs during the two different phases of moon (waxing and waning) in a Hindu Lunar month. This year Som  Pradosh fall on 16^th and 30^th of July 2012 and in Shravan month. This is a very rare happening that two Mondays in shravan month are dedicated to pradosh fasting. The Prayers and Pujas are offered to Lord Shiva  and Goddess Parvati during the evening twilight period on this day.  Pradosh as the name indicates is a period 1 and 1/2 hours before the sunset and 1 and 1/2 hours after the sunset. Fasting starts from sunrise and ends with the evening Poojaa. Most devotees prefer to pray to Lord Shiva or remain in Shiv temples during the Pradosh period.

How to Do This Vrat

There are two ways to do this Vrat.
--Some people observe a 24-hour fasting, which includes not sleeping at night.
--Another method is fasting from sunrise to sunset and after Shiv Puja the fast is broken.
Since Pradosh is a Kaal - period (from 1.30 hours before sunset to 1.00 hour after sunset) all Poojaa is done during this period only. If there is a temple of Shiv, one can go there too to perform Puja.
--Some devotees do not fast but worship Shiv during the Pradosh period or visit temples.

Take the bath an hour before sunset, and first perform a preliminary worship of Shiva, together with all the others of his Divine family, namely, Nandee, Shiv, Paarvatee, Ganesh, and Skand - in this order. After the worship of Ganesh, Shiv is invoked in a special Kalash placed on a square Mandal with a lotus drawn on the Kalash and Darbhaa grass spread over the Mandal. After the formal worship has been completed, a Pradosh story is read and heard by the devotees. This is followed by the recitation of the Mahaa Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times. In the end the sacred Kalash water is partaken of, the sacred ash is applied to the forehead, and the water which was used to bathe the Lord, is drunk.

Food to be Taken
Although one should not take salt in this Vrat. Staunch devotees opt for water only throughout fasting time and will only eat the Prasaad offered in the evening. Such devotees only eat  from next day morning. But as people know, there is not much hard and fast rules in Hindu Vrat and festivals. Whatever is available according to time, place and one's physical condition may be used for worship and Vrat. One should never worry about all this. It is rather important to lift oneself spiritually by self control.

A very important point to be remembered in this connection is that during this auspicious period all the hosts of celestial beings and gods come down from the Heavens and attend the worship in their subtle forms. This adds immensely to the sanctity of the worship. This Vrat is highly lauded by the scriptures and is of very great sanctity and importance to worshippers of Shiva.  Even a single Bel leaf (Bilva Patra) offered to the Lord at this unique, auspicious moment equals a hundred Mahapuja. It is usual to have special additional lights in the shrine during the Pradosh. To light even a single wick at this juncture is highly meritorious and productive of untold benefits, spiritual as well as material.  According to Veda, worship Lord Vishnu in the morning and Lord Shiva in the evening, especially during Pradosh Kaal is highly beneficial to the Saadhak, especially when the 12th Tithi (Dwaadashi) in Krishn Paksh or Shukla Paksh ends before midnight.

Daily Panchang & Muhurtha Monday 16th  July 2012

Based on British Standard Time (London)
[Ashaadha- Shravana]
Second Somvar vrat

Sunrise: 05:04:17 Sunset: 21:08:05 Moonrise: 02:33:54
Nandana (1934) Vikrami(North): 2069, Vishvaavasu
Vikram(Gujarat): 2068
Ritu: Varsha
Ashaadha/Shravan Krishna Paksha
T: Trayodashi 27:19:41+ N: Mrigashirsha 26:53:34+
Y: Vriddhi 06:57:03
K: Garaja 14:28:43 K: Vanija 27:19:41+
Sun : Karka at 04:59:31 Moon : Mithuna at 13:43:51
RK: 07:04:45-09:05:14 YM: 11:05:42-13:06:11
GK: 15:06:40-17:07:08 AJ: 12:42:11-13:30:11
DM: 13:38:19-14:42:34 DM: 16:51:04-17:55:20
V: 06:37:23-08:23:08
AK: 17:11:55-18:57:40
Sun in Punarvasu
TY: Amrita 26:53:34+ TY: Siddha
AN: Ananda 26:53:34+ AN: Kaldanda
Agnivasa: on Earth

Abbreviations

T: Tithi N: Nakshatra Y: YogaK: Karana RK: Rahukaal YM: Yamakaal GK: Gulika iAJ: Abhijit Muhurta DM: Durmuhurtham V: Varjyam AK: Amritkalam AN: Anandadi yoga TY: Amritha, Siddha Marana Yoga used in Tamil Panchangam

Agnivasa(location of Fire) :Doing Havan if Fire on earth gives Happiness, in Heaven  could gives loss of life, in Paatala gives loss of wealth

Bad Period -Rahukalam -Yamagandam – Gulikai – Durmuhurtham – Durmuhurtham –Varjyam –

Good Time -Abhijita Muhurta – Amrita Kalam – 

Rest all hours that are not part of Bad Period are Good time.When bad period overlaps into good period, that much time of badperiod should be eliminated from good period.

(Panchang differs from place to place please request for your city)

Shanivar Vrat: Saturday Fasting Dedicated To Hindu God Shani and Hanuman

In Hinduism, each day of a week is dedicated to a particular god in the Hindu pantheon. Apart from the special Vratas and Upvaas, many Hindus also fast on a particular day in a week. Each day in a week has a specialty and there are numerous folklores associated with the fasting observed on the days of a week.

Shanivar (Saturday)
Saturday is dedicated to alleviating the bad influence of Lord Shani. The Vrat on this day is mainly observed by those people who believe in Hindu astrology. Black is the color of the day and people visit Shani shrine or Navagraha shrines. Food is only consumed once on the day. Talk about Shani or Sani to a Hindu and the first reaction will be fear and then the mentioning of ill effects and troubles. Shani is dreaded by Hindus, especially by those who believe in astrology. Many people observe an Upvaas or fast to avoid the adversities and misfortunes on Shanivar or Saturday. It is believed that those who have the blessing of Lord Hanuman are protected from the wrath of Shani. Therefore many people make it a point to worship Hanuman at home or in temples. Black is the preferred color on Saturday.

Shani, one of the Navagrahas, is worshipped in numerous temples and there are also temples exclusively dedicated to Sani. Devotees who are observing Shanivar Vrat usually visit Shani shrines. Black colored items like sesame til, sesame oil, black clothes, and black gram whole are offered to Shani. It must be noted here that the color of the idol of Shani is always black in color.

Those devotees who fast on Saturday only take a single meal that too in the evening after prayers. Food prepared usually consists of sesame til or black gram or any other black colored food item. Salt is avoided by many on the day.

Shani is represented as a deity carrying bow and arrows and riding a vulture. Some devotees worship a black iron idol of Sani. Some worship the Peepal Tree and tie thread around its bark. Black colored items like sesame oil and black clothes are also donated on the day. Shani is so dreaded that many Hindus avoid journeys on Saturday. There are also numerous tales regarding the evil effects of Shani.

But generally it is believed that Lord Hanuman devotees are unharmed by Sani. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman had rescued Shani from Ravana. This happened during the burning of the Lanka episode in the epic Ramayana. Lord Shani had then promised that he would not trouble Lord Hanuman devotees.

It must be noted here that the deity worshipped on a particular day might vary from region to region and community to community. The result of all upvaas or fast depends on the person. It is good, if all the members in the family can undertake a Vrata together.

Miracles do happen by observing a particular Vrata and the greatest miracle is Brahman realization. All rituals and observances are path towards understanding the Supreme Soul and this will automatically alleviate all sufferings.